THE SPAKKUWJIAWK. 
31 
nearly at an end, wlien it begins to pay frerpient visits inland, 
and to tlie lower grounds. At Biiness and llalligartli it is 
often observed in the gardens, being more partial to trees 
than our other hawks. Tliere it begins to seek its prey a 
little after sunset, either sitting in the trees and dashing out 
after the sparrows as they come to roost, or deliberately snatch- 
ing them off the branches after they have settled for the night. 
Later in the year it resorts to the corn-yards, dodging actively 
among the numerous irregularly placed small stacks, sweej)- 
ing off twites and buntings to its heart’s content, and occa- 
sionally dashing out like lightning among such stray chickens, 
or even pigeons, as may happen to be feeding near. Some- 
times it is seen upon the stony hill-sides searching for beetles. 
One which had probably been thus engaged met its death in 
a very singular manner. I discovered it dead, with its neck 
tightly jammed in a crevice between two stones at the foot of 
an old ruined wall; had it been able to lift its head upwards 
for another couple of inches, it could easily have escaped. That 
the poor bird had not experienced greatly prolonged misery 
was evident from its excellent condition. 
The instances which have been recorded of the audacity of 
this species are innumerable. One evening, as I stood holding 
a fluttering brambling in my hand, a female Sparrowhawk came 
dashing past, certainly within arm’s reach, at the same instant 
uttering a shrill chirping cry; in a few seconds it returned, but 
keeping a more respectful distance. It then seemed inclined 
to go off to the hills, but, on my tossing up the bird, returned 
once more, when I shot it. So far as I am aware, the Sparrow- 
hawk invariably leaves these islands on the approach of winter. 
